Afghanistan won’t surrender foreign policy to anyone: Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday said they were celebrating Independence Day at a time when Afghanistan still needed renewed pledges for its defence.

In his address to a gathering marking the 97th Independence Day at the presidential palace, Ghani said Afghanistan had both a sweet and bitter history.

“We had not achieved internal independence 97 years ago, we had internal independence then, but we achieved foreign policy independence,” said Ghani, who vowed not to surrender the country’s foreign policy regime to anyone.

“We have an independent government, independent foreign policy and we have achievements in our foreign policy as well, thanks to the sacrifices of our security forces that made it possible,” the president said.

He said the Afghan forces against what was projected showed their commitment, will and management and that was why new promises were made with Afghanistan at the Warsaw Summit. But threats still existed and keeping in view the threats, a clear vision should be adopted, he said.

The president once again called the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan as imposed and said terrorists wanted to use the Afghanistan’s soil to destroy others, but Afghanistan would not allow anyone to do so and the terrorists would be done away with.

Referring to Daesh or Islamic State militant group, Ghani said they would be flushed out from the entire country not only from Nangarhar province.

“This is the home of lions who will tear you apart,” Ghani told the militant group struggling to find a foothold in eastern Afghanistan.

Ghani said Afghanistan could not compromise on its national interests and the Afghans should be looked at with respect and dignity.

He said Afghanistan maintained good relations with regional countries and Kabul message to Islamabad was clear that the two governments’ relations would be based on Afghanistan national interests.

The president hailed security forces for their continued efforts to restore peace and stability and said every general and service member of the Afghan forces was the protector of the motherland and they had complete national backing.

“Terrorism alone is not our problem, we have been struggling with economic issues, poverty, education and other issues which can be resolved through unity and hard work. We are determined and have the political will to resolve these issues and bring peace and stability to the country,” the president said.

Referring to the recent rift between the Presidential Palace and the Chief Executive Office, Ghani said the president had no right to spread negative messages.

He said presidency was not a position to be exploited emotionally but it was a place where everything was dealt with deep consideration, consultation and thinking.

He said every decision was being taken in the largest interest of the country and Islam and hopefully peace and stability would prevail in the country.